Tragedy struck after a boxer (name withheld) representing Imo State in the ongoing National Sports Festival in Asaba died after losing his fight in a technical knockout.

The said boxer received a punch in his chin and the referee had to stop the fight when he failed to recover leading to losing on knockout. He immediately left the ring for medical treatment and then was rushed to the hospital where he gave up the ghost.

As of the time of filing the story, Newspaper understands leader of Imo state contingent is trying to play down the news as they’re yet to inform the family of the deceased.

An eyewitness, Ilechukwu Enyeama, who spoke with our Correspondent said, “Yes, it was true that Imo State boxer died yesterday at the hospital where he was taken to revive his life.

“Though I don’t know his name I watched the bout and saw when he was rushed to the hospital. I heard later that he died in hospital.”

All efforts to reach the Boxing Coach of Team Imo proved abortive. Meanwhile, this Newspaper contacted the Director of Sports, Ferdinand Emeana who neither picked up his calls nor responded to text messages sent to him.

However, when contacted, the Vice President of, the Nigeria Boxing Federation, Azania Omo-Agege Siena, said, he can’t say anything about it as the federation has not been briefed about the incident.

“I can’t say anything about it because no one has contacted the federation about it,” He said.

In another incident, Team Zamfara’s taekwondo athlete, Daniel Otunoye was ruled out of the ongoing 21st edition of the National Sports Festival in Asaba, Delta State after he collapsed before his fight.